CDA

[Kristine Buchanan]

 A crucial difference is that a store owner is not a representative of 
the government, but a private citizen who has the right to select and 
limit what and to whom s/he sells her/his merchandise.  A public library 
receives government funding.  Because of that, public libraries fall 
under the 14th Amendment which enforces the application of the 
Constitution to state and local governments.








On Mon, 30 Jun 1997, Ronnie Morgan wrote:

> One of the reasons why this debate won't die is that I won't shut up.  I
> want to quit, but, I don't want the "other side" to have the last word.
> And I don't want the "other side" to think they have convinced me that
> libraries shouldn't support filtering for child access since I didn't reply
> to thier post.
> 
> So, I am going to say this, I'm quiting.  But I will end on a few points.
> 
> Even if local laws allow it, no adult bookstore is going to allow a child
> to walk into thier store.  They would get to much ridicule if they did, so
> they aren't going to allow it.  No one is going to sue them for that, but
> someone will if they do allow children in.
> 
> If you allow porn to be accessed *by kids* in the library, you might as
> well have the entire line of material that an adult bookstore has.  Why
> don't you?  And again, I realize there is space and budget limitations.  
> 
> But just like the adult bookstore will get ridiculed if they allow a child
> in thier store, the library is going to get ridiculed for not having filter
> programs installed, or some other control measure.  You may not agree with
> it, and you may *claim* that it's a violation of freedom of speech, but you
> will most likely have to do *something* to make it, at least, look like you
> are doing something about it.
> 
> If you are a store owner, and you have porn of any kind in your store, you
> *will* have to watch who looks at or buys the stuff.  The library is no
> different.  Well, except for the fact that you purchase it at one location
> and check it out at another.  With the exception of that, there is no
> difference.
> 
> Also this stuff about finding it in drawers and other places, that is
> irrelevant.  Yes, they are going to find thier Dad's magazines, or
> brothers, or whoever.  That is out of our control, and there is nothing we
> can or could do about it.  But above all, it's not a very good excuse to
> allow porn access in the library.  
> 
> How about an evil twist before I go (on this subject).  :)  
> 
> Humor mode: ON
> 
> I just find it down right disgusting that I can't bring my coke (the soft
> drink) into the library.  What about coke's freedom of speech, they have a
> right to, you know!  What's the matter with you people, anyway?  Everywhere
> I go, there it is, coke here, coke there, everywhere I go there is coke,
> except in the library.  Why, why, why can't I have my coke in the library,
> why?  Why do you want to restrict my access to coke?  Everybody drinks it,
> and even if you don't like it, that's no reason why I can't have it!  And
> don't give me that stuff about "protecting the books".  My dad spills cokes
> all over his books all the time, and they are still usable, mostly.
> Besides that, I see other people with drinks and snacks in the library, so
> if they are going to do it anyway, you might as well let them so that they
> don't have to hide it.  If you think about it, there is a greater chance of
> them spilling it onto one of your precious books if they are trying to hide
> it.  You'd have fewer spills if they were allowed to set it out somewhere.  
> 
> Humor mode: OFF
> 
> I could have fun playing devil's advocate on that discussion! :)
> 
> Ooops, the topic police is here to get me, I better go...
> Ronnie
> 
> Disclaimer:  Views expressed are mine and mine alone.  My views or opinions
> are NOT representative to Harding University.
>